Sometimes things should be said and weren’t, so I’m going to try and rectify that. For 26 years I watched Dr. Rudolph Knaack go from “new doc on the block,” to a very prominent doctor of this community.

During those years, we had some frustrating days, sad days and lots of good days. He was always there for his patients, going the extra mile, whatever it required. That could be riding in an ambulance with a patient to Whidbey General Hospital, making a curb-side assessment outside the clinic, making house calls when necessary, and, above all, being a good listener.

All these years gave him a loyal following of patients. Now I hear comments like “Dr. Knaack is retiring, who will I go see,” and “I just won’t get sick, Dr. Knaack is retiring.” 

This is a phase we’ll all get through but he will be missed. I want to thank Dr. Knaack for all that he has done for me, helping me to build self confidence, giving me the opportunity to work with him and to call him my friend. Congratulations on your retirement. I hope you will enjoy retirement as much as I am enjoying mine.

Carol Sowers
Oak Harbor